CoQ10's impact on the lipid profile in adults varies across studies and depends on the participants' health status, making it challenging to generalize findings. In one meta-analysis that included both healthy individuals and those with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, supplementation with CoQ10 effectively lowered (improved) total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride (TG) levels.[1] Another meta-analysis involving individuals with chronic kidney disease observed improvements in TC, LDL, MDA, and creatine levels with CoQ10 supplementation, although levels of CRP, TG, high-density lipoprotein HDL, fasting glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance did not vary significantly compared to placebo.[2] Conversely, one meta-analysis of studies whose participants had coronary artery disease, specifically myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and chronic heart failure, found no significant impact of supplementation with CoQ10 on the lipid profile.[3]
Furthermore, supplementation with CoQ10 appeared to decrease fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting insulin levels, and insulin resistance, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes, when CoQ10 was taken for 12 weeks or longer, and at a dosage greater than 200 mg daily.[4]
Additionally, for people with heart failure, who often present with CoQ10 deficiencies, supplementation with CoQ10 may be beneficial.[5] One meta-analysis suggested that CoQ10 significantly decreased the risk of mortality and increased the exercise capacity (measured as exercise duration or walking distance) compared to placebo, although it had no significant effect on left ventricular ejection fraction or cardiac function.[6]
Regarding blood pressure, CoQ10 may reduce systolic blood pressure (SBP) in individuals with cardiometabolic disorders (e.g., diabetes, dyslipidemia), particularly when doses of 200 mg per day or higher are taken for longer than 12 weeks. However, more high-quality data is needed to confirm these findings.[7]
Finally, CoQ10 may increase blood flow in people with otherwise-hindered blood flow thanks to its antioxidant properties, which are thought to preserve the actions of nitric oxide (a vasodilating and blood pressure-reducing agent) on the endothelium ( the layer of cells that lines blood vessels).[8]